By Peter McVitie

The 1990 World Cup winner says drastic improvements are needed in Joachim Low's side if they are to beat France on Friday to secure a semi-final spot

Germany have to improve "100 per cent" if they are to overcome France in their World Cup quarter-final, according to Andreas Brehme.

Joachim Low's men are through to the quarter-final of the tournament in Brazil and will play France on Friday for a spot in the last-four.

But Brehme, who won the 1990 World Cup with Germany, believes drastic improvements in Germany's performances are needed if they are to go any further in the competition.

"I’ve enjoyed watching France," he told Fifa's official website. "Our team will have to improve another 100 per cent if they want to win on Friday.

"Our team hasn’t played badly so far and they deserve to be in the quarter-finals. But if we play as we did against Algeria then France will definitely knock us out. They’re a different calibre of opponent.

"Our team know that it’s crunch time now. Germany have always been a tournament side. The lads have got a huge game on Friday so they’ll be focusing on putting in a top-class performance there. As a German player you know when it’s time to step up."

The 53-year-old feels Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer could be one of the key players in the game, and also discussed which players have impressed him most this summer.

"Maybe a world-class player like Manuel Neuer will be the deciding factor. The way he played against Algeria was incredible. In my opinion, he’s been one of the players of the tournament so far.

"I’ve been very impressed by Netherlands’ Memphis Depay, and Arjen Robben is in sensational form as well. I’d have to add Colombia’s James Rodriguez too. Nobody had him on their radar before the tournament started but he’s a superb player.

"No team has been at their best all the way through. Netherlands and France have impressed me the most but our team is also in the running.

"You can’t discount Brazil because they’ve got wonderful individual players and as hosts they have the support of the fans behind them.

"Argentina are vulnerable in defence but are unbelievable in attack. I think we’ve still got a lot of exciting games to look forward to."